Hi guys, the steering lock on th mk2 vrs is causing me a lot of grief. When I put the key in the ignition and try to turn it won't turn. At first I though it was the steering lock but when turned the wheel, it unlocked but I still couldn't turn the key. After many attempts to turn and a lot of spraying with WD40 followed by many more attempts, it finally turned and the car started. 

Now I have to force it to start the car and force it to switch it off. 

Do you think my issue is the barrel or another mechanism. 

 

Thanks in advance

sounds like the ignition assembly is worn (the bit that sits behind the key barrel) as they do wear out with age and cause the key to be difficult to turn.

 

See example below but you will need to double check if the part number is the same as yours

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOR-AUDI-SEAT-SKODA-VW-IGNITION-STARTER-STEERING-LOCK-BARREL-ASSEMBLY-1K0905851B/233268128680?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200520130048%26meid%3D598f0272344a4044a0ecb00e86bc5e16%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D173854752485%26itm%3D233268128680%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithDarwoV3BBEV2b&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851